Starting from Herne Hill Rd Surgery, 1-3, Herne Hill Rd, SE24 0AU.
[1] From the front of the surgery turn left along the left side of Herne Hill Road. Turn left along Padfield Road, round the bend to the left, then cross the road and turn right into Southwell Road. Turn right into Cambria Road and straight ahead under the railway.
[2] Turn left into Northway Road and at the end go straight on through a gate into Ruskin Park.
(A) Ruskin Park offers visitors a safe, welcoming and well-maintained place with opportunities for play, sports and relaxation. Along with a popular paddling pool, playground, one o'clock club, tennis courts and football pitch, the park contains ornamental and wildlife ponds and formal bedding along with heritage features like the Portico and a splendid collection of ornamental and native trees. Pride of place goes to a delightful wooden bandstand in the centre of the park, which was restored in 2006. There are several information boards to read during your walk.
[3] Go straight ahead past the paddling pool, children’s playground and tennis courts on your left. Opposite a wooden gate on your left (New Pond) go through a gate in railings on your right. Go straight on and then bear right along the left side of a pond.
[4] At a path junction turn right (still with the pond on your right) and then go straight ahead with grass on your right and a raised fence on your left. When you come to railings ahead of you turn right to have a walk round the bandstand.
[5] Return with the railings on your right and go straight ahead to reach a covered walkway on your left. Go up or right round the steps to turn left along the covered walkway. At the end turn right (slight uphill) and then bear left. At a T junction turn left to reach “The Portico” on the left.
(B) The Portico is all that is left of 170 Denmark Hill, one of six grand houses that were once built here. In the 1840s the composer Mendelssohn stayed at No. 168, and was so inspired by the tranquillity he penned a piano tribute to its silence. Unfortunately “Camberwell Green” failed to set the world alight until he renamed it “Spring Song”.
[6] Go straight ahead, either down some steps, or skirting them on a downhill path to the right, and continue on. At cross paths turn right and follow the path round to pass through a gate. Turn left and pass Ruskin Park Community Garden on the right.
(C) The mission of Ruskin Park Community Garden is to create a community hub that is a source of education and enthusiasm for growing vegetables. The aim is to encourage inner city gardening with a view to reducing the carbon output involved in food production and transport.
[7] Continue straight ahead to exit the park through the gate you entered.
[8] Turn left up the right side of Finsen Road and then right into Bicknell Road, which becomes Kemerton Road.
[9] Cross over Cambria Road and turn right into Herne Hill Road to return to the surgery.